Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?

Scunthorpe, United...
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567 posts
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Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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hello all.

i was wondering if you can recommend to me your choice of maps or guide books you have used while in Bangkok.

I am looking to purchase one or two for my visit next year.

thanks

John.

Berkshire
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1. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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Without a doubt, get the Nancy Chandler Maps - there is an excellent one of Bangkok and another for Chiangmai. Just bang Nancy Chandler Map into Amazon.co.uk search and all will be revealed.

Cambridge, United...
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2. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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My favourite map is the Groovy Map (http://www.groovymap.com/). It comes fully laminated so will cope with downpours, beer spillages and is indestructible. I'm not sure if anyone sells it in the UK. I got mine in Bangkok a few years ago and it's still as good as new.

Also popular are the Nancy Chandler maps: http://www.nancychandler.net/

Scunthorpe, United...
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567 posts
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3. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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Thanks a lot,i have just bought both these maps.

much appreciated

John.

Berlin, Germany
Destination Expert
for Bangkok, Berlin, Thailand
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4. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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The clearest and best paper map of Bangkok in my opinion is the Nelles Map of Bangkok and Greater Bangkok, which sells at Asia Books for 195 baht. You can also buy it in advance through Amazon but pay a lot more.

For trip planning, here's a collection of maps that puts Google Maps to shame: http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bangkok_map/bangkok_map_metro_area_b.html

Bay Village, Ohio
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5. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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scunnyman,

Just a friendly reminder, maps are great, but try and study them ahead of time, and only pull the maps out in a obscured location on the streets if you have too, so as not to be a beacon and stand out as an easy target for the professional scam artist of BKK. . Please read up all possible scams ahead of time. This is not to scare you but to help you have a great tip, other than that it's a great, safe, friendly city. Have a great time and remember planning is half the fun!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293916-c86695/Bangkok:Thailand:Beware.Of.Touts.Tuk.Tuks.And.Gems.Scams.html

http://www.bangkokscams.com/top-10-scams-in-bangkok/

Scunthorpe, United...
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567 posts
320 reviews
86 helpful votes
6. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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thanks folks.

meeko - cheers for that and noted,I have looked at all the scam videos and lots more so i feel all good about it and i don't go until next july so have plenty of time to gain even more knowledge.

John

Scunthorpe, United...
Level Contributor
567 posts
320 reviews
86 helpful votes
7. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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hello all.

just a little update,i have just received my groovy map and nancy chandler maps for my visit,they are great maps and thanks a lot for the help,that is why i love this forum..once again thanks

john

Pawtucket, RI
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21,728 posts
8. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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Many tourists just pick up one of the free maps available at the airport, from tourist desks, even hotel lobbies. Most of the streets you will come across in areas popular with tourists will also have the name written in English. (The spelling may be odd but close enough.)

If you have a particular destination you can ask your hotel front desk to write a note in Thai for the taxi driver to read. Most Thais can read their own language. Sois are often numbered even on one side and odd on the other side. Sample below.

http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bangkok_map/bangkok_map_sukhumvit.html

http://bangkoktonite.com/maps/sukhumvit.shtml

The Skytrain. subway and Airport Rail Link are always good reference points. Locate some of the main roads like Sukhumvit, Phetchaburi, Silom, Ratchaprorop, etc. to get your bearings.

http://www.urbanrail.net/as/bang/bangkok.htm

Unless you choose a hotel way out in the boonies in an area less popular with tourists you may not look at a map too much. Hotel websites often include a map. I find a small compass handy sometimes when I need to go in the right direction again after wandering around in a huge mall and exit by a different door. (I have a cheapie compass on my watch band)

I wouldn't stress out too much over having the best map unless you are searching out obscure, specific places.

Good luck.

Leeds, United...
Destination Expert
for Pattaya
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38 reviews
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9. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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There's some very good free maps provided at the tourist information desks which are scattered around the city. I pick mine up at the one on Silom Rd just next to the big SuperRich. I know there's a couple of Tourist Info's near Siam.

These tourist info centres are excellent with a good level of English spoken. They have helped me with specific questions and some of the maps are very detailed telling you where roughly where the buses go on what routes around the city. As well as bus routes, MRT, and BTS stops they will give Chao Phraya river pier stops as well as locations of embassies.

Berkshire, United...
Destination Expert
for Kanchanaburi, Kanchanaburi Province
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10. Re: Best map and book guides for my BKK visit?
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Hi,

The Bangkok Bus Guide goes for 99 baht, it could be useful. Otherwise, get a copy of the Groovy map, it is readily available in Bangkok. In addition, you are almost certain to obtain free city maps at your hotel.

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